Player Ratings: United States (2) vs. Mexico (2)

By Brian Sciaretta

April 3, 2014

GLENDALE, Ariz. — In its final exhibition game before the opening of next month’s World Cup training camp, the United States national team played to a 2-2 draw with arch-rival Mexico on Wednesday night before a pro-Mexico crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Impressions of the game depended on which half one watched: Jurgen Klinsmann’s American team dominated the first half with a dominant display in a new 4-4-2 diamond-midfield formation. After the break, however, the United States allowed Mexico back into the game with a series of defensive mistakes. While Klinsmann was most likely disappointed with the tie, his team looked sharper than it has at any time since World Cup qualifying ended.

Most important, the game offered him clear lessons about his players heading into World Cup camp. Michael Bradley is clearly the most important player on the roster, and when he is playing well the United States is strong offensively and defensively. Kyle Beckerman also showed himself to be a solid complement for Bradley in central midfield, raising his game and making a case for significant minutes in Brazil.

While all eyes were on the teenager Julian Green, who made his debut after halftime, DeAndre Yedlin turned in a strong outing as a second-half substitute at right back. Michael Parkhurst, filling in for an absent DaMarcus Beasley, had a strong game at left back, a position that has traditionally been a weakness for the United States.

The ratings, from 1 (diabolical) to 10 (world class):

Starting Lineup

Nick Rimando: The Real Salt Lake goalkeeper and longtime national team No. 3 was forced into action in the second half with a big save in the 53rd minute to maintain a 2-1 lead. In the 86th minute, his save on Miguel Ponce helped preserve the tie. There was little he could do to prevent either goal. Rating: 7.0

Tony Beltran: A late addition to the team this week, Beltran struggled early at right back before settling in. Mexico attacked primarily down his side of the field and, aside from a few shaky moments, Beltran held firm. His highlight came in the 28th minute, when his cross found Bradley, who sent it on to Chris Wondolowski for the second American goal. Rating: 6.0

Omar Gonzalez: After a relatively solid first half, Gonzalez fell apart in the second. Klinsmann’s first-choice pairing in central defense is not yet clear, but Gonzalez did not help his case against Mexico. Rating: 4.0

Matt Besler: An outing that should leave the Sporting Kansas City defender satisfied. In the 17th minute he had a tackle that prevented a good chance. He was not at fault for conceding any significant Mexican scoring opportunities and was substituted out of the game with his team leading, 2-1. Rating: 6.0

Michael Parkhurst: For a defender who prefers to play centrally or on the right, Parkhurst did not look out of place at left back. Mexico rarely attacked down his side, and while he didn’t moved forward into the U.S. offense either, his defensive positioning was good. He could have played his way onto the World Cup roster with his performance. Rating: 7.0

Kyle Beckerman: From the opening whistle, Beckerman was terrific and had perhaps his best game for the national team. Cemented his place in the World Cup team. His passing was accurate and helped the team keep possession, and his defense was apparent in that Mexico had little success attacking up the middle. Perhaps the most important takeaway was that there is clear chemistry with Beckerman and Michael Bradley in the midfield, and any pairing that allows Bradley to flourish has to be a clear consideration in Brazil. Rating: 7.0

Brad Davis: With few left footed midfielders available for Klinsmann, it is clear why Davis was given the chance to show his value. His lack of speed hurt him when the Americans tried to play quickly, but he is lethal on crosses and set pieces. His free kick in the 17th minute set up a great opportunity for Omar Gonzalez and forced Moises Munoz to make a nice save. Rating: 5.0

Michael Bradley: Dominant in the first half, when he was by far the best player on the field. He scored the opening goal and assisted on the second. Nearly every dangerous play went through Bradley. In the second half, after Mexico raised its level of play, Bradley’s defense kept the United States in the game. Rating: 8.5 and Man of the Match

Graham Zusi: Strong in the first half when the United States was dominating, but began to tire after halftime and was substituted in the 60th minute. In the four-man midfield, Zusi covered a lot of ground and his passing was precise: his corner kick to Bradley at the back post set up a tap-in first goal. Rating: 6.0

Clint Dempsey: Playing higher as a forward in a 4-4-2, Dempsey found himself in a new role. After struggling for most of the past six months, he had some nice moments. His best was nearly setting up Eddie Johnson for an apparent winning goal that was called back for offside. He has a way to go to return to the dominant level he was at in 2012, but relatively speaking he is on the right track. Rating: 5.5

Chris Wondolowski: On the World Cup bubble before the game, his performance — and his goal off a Bradley header in the first half — boosted his chances. He was replaced with the U.S. team up 2-1. Rating: 6.5

Substitutes

Landon Donovan: It was a surprise to see Donovan, the national team’s career scoring leader, dropped from the starting lineup but he clearly was not missed in the first half. He entered into the game in the 59th minute at a time when the midfield was being overrun by Mexico but did little to help the team regain the possession advantage. Instead he tried to lead counterattacks, which were only occasionally dangerous. Rating: 5.0

Julian Green: All eyes were on Green, who was making his first appearance for the United States since switching his international affiliation from Germany last month. An 18-year-old who plays primarily for Bayern Munich’s Under-23 team, Green replaced Brad Davis on the left wing in the 59th minute. Eager to get involved on the counter at a time when Mexico was pressing, Green was aggressive but unable to create dangerous opportunities. He has talent but remains a little raw, even nervous. Rating: 4.5

Clarence Goodson: Replaced Besler at center back in the second half. Reliable when Mexico had the momentum and went on the attack, he remains in contention to start at the World Cup. Rating: 6.0

Eddie Johnson: After surprisingly losing his starting position to Wondolowski, Johnson was a bit unlucky when his 84th-minute goal was disallowed on a close offside call. Aside from that opportunity, he struggled and was not able to combine well in the attack. With Wondolowski having another strong game, it will be a close call for Johnson, once seen as a near lock for the World Cup, to make the team heading to Brazil. Rating: 4.5

Maurice Edu: In his first appearance with the United States in more than a year, Edu came on in the 72nd minute for Kyle Beckerman. His passing was sharp but he was not quite as effective as Beckerman was in working with Bradley. Probably did enough to earn another look in May. Rating: 6.0

DeAndre Yedlin: Replacing the defensively solid Beltran at right back, Yedlin, 20, offered a more attacking dynamic with a series of dangerous runs. Most important for Klinsmann, he did not suffer many defensive lapses. Another option heading into May’s World Cup camp. Rating: 6.5